Turning a new leaf... Kinda

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Darkness, cold, lifeless, repressing. Anyone within the room, would see nothing but endless back, no lights, and no colors. The silence was deafening, endless, total. Not even the roaches could get through. For most, the totality of it would be maddening. For the Chaos Mage, it was comforting. Despite the darkness, he could see perfectly. The room was probably no more than fifteen feet in one direction, and ten in the other. Along the far wall was a solid metal door, the slit currently close. Not far from it would be a table, and two chairs. The table had an iron ring within the center, and all of the furniture was bolted to the ground.

Beyond that would be a wall of metal bars, the allow unknown to the Progeny. Though, he had no doubt they were as close to unbreakable as one could get. Within the bars would be his ‘room’. A mostly unadorned stone cell. Dark stone walls, floor, and ceiling greeted him in all directions. Along the back wall would be a bed, and other ‘necessities’ would be scattered throughout the room.

Sitting on the floor, along the western wall his back to stone, his arm mere inches from the bars Markus was leaning back. His eyes were closed, and if it was not four the occasional breath, he would be completely motionless. Being so solitary was… strange… for the chaos mage. After all, up until their spat Markus had always had at least Aporia to speak with. Yet now, whether out of choice or some other reason she was silent. Not that he cared.

In truth, Markus had found himself caring about less and less since his quest to find, and kill, his father had started. The man had eluded him, somehow always remaining one step ahead, always remaining just out of grasp. The chaos mage could not understand how none of his avenues had worked, he had hunted down almost every member of his father’s inner circle, and killed many of them. Each leading him one step closer, yes still the monster of a man evaded. Then, one day, Markus found himself confronted by the Runeknights, and not just any members. But, Mythal and Serilda. Two of the most powerful mages in Fiore, and leaders of the Runeknights. Though after reflecting the chaos mage fully understood why it had to be them, he had never expected such a turn of events.

Although he did not go down peacefully, the result was the same. Here he was. Rotting away. While his father continued doing as he willed. Markus had no idea how long he had been within the room, it could have been days, or weeks. Time seemed to have lost meaning. Not that it was the first time for such a thing. This room was nothing compared to the maze in Void.

Suddenly, Markus’ ears would prick as the silence was broken. In the distance, he could hear a door opening, before closing. Followed by footsteps… which was strange in itself. Generally, when Markus got ‘visitors’ there were no more than two sets of steps. His curiosity however did not last long, as he could tell with certainty that they were headed in his direction, and soon enough with a blinding light, the far door to his cell would be open. A man in Runeknight uniform would then step in, touch in hand.

Markus, blinded by the light would turn away as the man spoke. “Get Up. You are coming with me.” He would say forcefully, as sternly as possible. Yet, Markus could hear the slight crack in his voice. After all, the difference in their powers was very much noticeable. Without saying a work he would stand, as the Runeknight unlocked his cell door, and gestured for Markus to go first through the back metal door.

Without a word, Markus would walk forward to find half a dozen Runeknights standing around the door, surrounding him. Non would meet his eyes. Seems they had something against looking at an H+ ‘murderer’. With a sigh, he would remain passive as one of the men attached metal rings to his wrists, and feet, all of which were attached by heavy chain.

“Walk.” The first man would say, pressing into Markus’ back. As the group walked, Markus would keep his eyes forward. Flanked on all sides, he was forced to shuffle at the pace set by the group. As they went from one level to the next the Markus realized they were headed for the same place he had entered. Curiosity plaguing his mind, he would finally step through the final door into the courtyard beyond.

Seems it was time to learn what was next for him.

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The light was almost blinding, impossibly bright after Markus’ time underground. For a brief moment his heart would contract before increasing to a rapid pace, and his breath would catch. The Chaos Mage would remember his extended years trapped within the labyrinth, and the first time he re-entered Earthland, before all of this had had started. The Chaos mage would briefly remember the fear he felt, and the pain he had been in, before remembering where he was.

Luckily for him, the feeling was short-lived and soon replaced by confusion, and questioning. Suddenly, Markus found himself face to face with Johann, the new leader of the up and Rising Dies Irae, and a fellow Vessel. Markus had come to trust the man after fighting with him, and learning a few things, even if the chaos mage did not truly know him on any kind of personal level. Still, Markus was wary. Johann was immensely powerful, leader of a guild, and a Wizard Saint. The chaos mage doubted he would be able to take on such a foe if it came down to it. In fact, he wondered if perhaps that was why Johann was here, one of the few mages who could handle Markus’ execution…

When the other man talked, the chaos mage would cock his head but remain silent. He was indeed surprised to see Johann, and far from willing to open up. Though, he did give a coy smile when Johann requested the guards remove his chains. With a quick look he would stare at the guard as he worked the metal, unwilling to meet his gaze. As soon as the metal fell from his wrists he would grasp at his hands and flex. Even if it had been a short walk, the heavy chains had been uncomfortable. For a brief moment Markus would take a deep breath, and feel as his magic power surged, his eyes would flash with chaotic energy causing the guard to back up slowly. Closer to Johann, who obviously provided the most security.

Freedom… Markus would briefly speak to himself before looking at Johann once more, his eyes once more were clear and devoid of magic or emotion. “Johann.” He would finally say, giving the man a nod willing to listen to the rest of what was to come from this change of predicament.

The chaos mage would raise a curious brow as Johann spoke of possibly being able to do something with Markus’ current state of affairs. However, when the man spoke of his guild the chaos mage suddenly got a worrisome feeling.

“I have heard of them, and their… nature. Though, I will admit to being preoccupied with offer affairs.” He would say simply, but with a twinge of interest. “So my knowledge of might be lacking…” Markus would look towards the guards.

“Why don’t we walk and talk? I haven’t had much chance to stretch my legs.” He would say glancing about, turning his head when one of the guards spoke up.

“I... I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”

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Markus stretched his legs and popped his back as the well-dressed Johann debated and agreed to his request. Truth be told, Markus had no plans for escape, or assault. At the moment, he could care less about what happened from here. He needed time to sit and plan, time to decide what he would next do. His father had gone into hiding, meaning Markus would have to wait either way, wait for him to once more show his head. If anything, though, the best part of this whole ordeal was the fact that it caused chaos to enter his fathers’ affairs, and if nothing else Markus was certain he was still completely unknown to the man.

Either way, with a heavy sign Markus would give a sidelong glance at the guards, who were not all too happy with the decision. Markus would listen as the other man asked his questions, or more so… stated the current state of affairs, before gesturing for Markus to walk with him. He did not disagree with Johann, Fairy Tail to Prison was certainly not what Markus had expected to happen when he first said his goodbyes. Nor was it the change of pace he had been wanted. There was something maddening about prison, isolation, and even darkness. Markus had felt it before, and was reminded of it during the short time he had been waiting…

Markus understood why the questions, for whatever reason he was here due to what Markus had done. As such, it made certain sense the other man was trying to get him to talk. To open up. Though, Markus had a feeling. Whatever it was Johann had wanted. His first assumption, Markus’ execution, was becoming less and less likely. Though, that did not mean the chaos mage would drop his guard, not yet, and not ever. When, finally, Johann got to his point. Markus would turn to look at him and raise an eyebrow. “Help me? Interesting… Your assumption was correct… Innocent. They were not.” He would say calmly as Johann paused.

When Johann started to explain Dies Irae, the chaos mage would listen passively. Markus was not surprised, both men had come to the same conclusion. Truthfully Markus would certainly fall under the category of mages they would hunt. At least… on paper. Though, it seemed like Markus, Johann understood that paper, and truth were not always aligned, and what other perceived was not always the case. When Johann would grin, Markus would wait with a inquisitive eye.

When Johann asked for Markus to explain each kill, suddenly, the chaos mage realized… this was gonna be a long conversation. Taking a deep breath, he would look seriously at the man before speaking. He did not share the same grin, though Markus never really did. “Truthfully. There are many reasons for what I did. Though… and I think you understand… I was not always the one controlling the show.” Markus would say looking at Johann with a series look. Normally, he would not go around telling people that he was not always in control of his actions, after all what better way to be locked up permanently due to being crazy. Johann however, Markus knew would understand.

Now that that was out of the way, Markus would continue. “I am searching for a man. A very bad man. He is part of the upper Magi of Belem, and though there is much suspicion if his… ties… to darker entities, none of it can be proven, and… his money gets him out of most questions. Those ties deal with the rest.” He would explain as they walked.

“Some time ago, I went on a job with Nessa Lux which involved us sneaking into their compound and saving some of their… slaves.” Markus would say, with distaste in his voice. “In Bellam, those born without magic are worse than nothing, and servitude is very common.” He would add, assuming, but not certain if Johann would know the politics of the land.

“While there, we did not run into the man, or his wife. However, we did have a running with his daughter, and when the job was done I used the connections we made, and the people we saved, as a way to learn more.” Markus would breath, looking away. He knew, one way or the other, Johann would have to learn who the man was. “Victor Eldridge, head of the esteemed Eldridge Family was always a monster of a man to his family. However… I learned after that job just how far his push for… power… would go.” Markus had no doubt that the paperwork would show his last name, and whether or not Johann knew it, and was able to put the two together was really of little consequence. Unless he asked.

“While tracking his activities, and… letting myself be known to his network. I found myself up against quite heavy odds on multiple occasions. Luckily… Aporia, and my own power was enough to see me through, relatively safely. Honestly, my power is exhausting, and having to limit it to protect those sorts of scum put me in danger, in a way I felt was not worth the risk.” Markus would say with no emotion. “It is easier to kill, than it is to let them live.”

Markus would pause, waiting to see if there was any sort of reaction from the other man. Whether he would agree or disagree. “Either way. I could not let my identity get back to him, and when I found a new compound it helped if his men knew their lives were in danger. They were much more willing to give me the information I wanted to know.” Markus would say, explaining more his exact reasons for killing. “Most of the deaths were hidden from the public. However, there was a rather… Messy occurrence that I think led to the Rune Knights finding me. In total, twenty-six people were counted dead on arrival. I was wounded rather deeply, so was not able to clear the mess before Rune Knights arrived.”

Taking a deep breath, Markus would try and decide what it is he really was trying to say. Truthfully, he could not explain why he hunted each one down. Most of the men were lackies to worse men. They were in the way. “Johann. I do not regret what I did. The men I killed, while having just chosen the wrong side, were working for bad men. I took down two of… Two of my fathers’ generals.” Markus decided there was no reason to hide the truth, even if he did not know already. “And many others within his organization. I would love to blame the deaths on Aporia’s chaotic influence or say that there was no other option. But the truth is. I killed bad men, so that I could get to worse men. No innocents were hurt, and any innocents on site, such as the various magicless ‘servants’, were either freed, or… smuggled away.” Markus would say, admitting to another crime without care.

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Markus would take a deep breath, once more looking about the open sky in front of him. He wondered for a brief moment whether he should run. After all, if he was to make a portal to the void right here and right now… what was the worst that could happen?... With a quick glance at Johann he would shake his head. If it were just the Rune Knights, or even some other mages Markus might have been more tempted, but he knew Johann, trusted the man… and more importantly. Markus was not sure if he could beat him.

The chaos mage however did not have to wait long after his explained his situation to learn what Johann himself though. It was strange, to think that his fate… at least for now… was at the discretion of the man in front of him. Markus would cock an eyebrow at Johanns first comment. It was true, Markus certainly hated dishonesty, cheaters, and liars. Though he might be considered a murder, at least he was honest about it… When Johan continued speaking Markus would listen passively, somewhat surprised that someone actually agreed with his motives, and choices. It was not common, his morality.

As Johann turned the conversation back to Dies Irae Markus would realize exactly where this conversation was going, exactly what it was Johann wanted of him, and exactly how he was going to get free. Though Markus might not be a good person, it seemed his sense of character, or at least his power, was something the other guild could benefit from. In truth, Markus had made his decision before the other man had even stopped talking.

“I say… Yes.” Markus would say after but a moments pause. “However, in the interest of clarity how about you tell me of your guild laws?” He would ask. He assumed at least in part they would act much like Fairy Tails. Truthfully though, Markus knew if he needed to run or escape it would be much easier to do such from outside of the Rune Knights Compound and prison. Besides, this could be fun. After all, Johann was the vessel of Mars, one of Aporias Siblings, and the chaos mage had no doubt the two of them could find common ground.

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